Weiner, who -- like Grimm -- had developed a reputation as a hot-headed lawmaker even before he became embroiled in his own sex scandal, wrote that Grimm should perhaps avoid interviews entirely as an investigation continues to swirl around his campaign finances.

Or, he suggests, keeping your cool can go a long way:

I know that “can you tell us about the status of the ethics investigation into you?” sounds like fighting words. But it can actually be an invitation to explain some of the messy doings that have swirled around you since nearly the moment you were elected.

A few pols under investigation have handled such challenges with real poise. I was not one of them. I did a terrible job following these rules. I did embarrassing things and made them so much worse by being dishonest about them.